Fittler praises Flanagan after turbulent week

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Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has praised the attitude of Kyle Flanagan - the son of Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan – following his training session with the Emerging Blues on Thursday.

Kyle joined 22 other rising stars of NSW at the soon-to-open Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park a day after reports his father, Shane, is being investigated by the NRL for breaching the terms of his ban during his 12-month suspension over the club’s supplements scandal.

A decision is expected to be handed down on Tuesday and there have been reports former Manly coach Trent Barrett could be parachuted into the Sharks job if Flanagan is stood down as coach.

Kyle did not address the media on Thursday but Fittler was impressed with the way he conducted himself throughout the day which included a video session, training run, and tour of the Blues new headquarters to open in January 2019.

“I thought he carried himself very well,” Fittler said.

“I spoke to him about his Dad and he said his Dad was coping OK. He understands that he’s not his Dad but he’s Kyle and he’s got to come out and train hard.

“He’s a pretty impressive kid actually the way he trains and the way he holds himself.”

Flanagan made his NRL debut for the Sharks in 2018 but played the bulk of the season for the club’s feeder team, the Newtown Jets in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW. He was named ISP Halfback of the Year and also captained NSW in the under-20s and NSW Residents matches.